Here I am talking about flowers again! It’s my passion to such an extent I can’t even offer an apology to you!!
With each blog post, I share one of the elements which I consider in my approach to macro photography. In the future I’ll cover other genres of photography, but for now I wish to explain my thought process and my techniques for macro. Today I am not considering the subject matter - but the backdrop.
I have used the plants leaves to add interesting soft colour to the background and by using a wide aperture nothing distracts.
Again, a soft unobtrusive background.
I’ve spoken of my weekly expeditions to the flower market and I’ve mentioned the importance of making a considered choice in terms of the quality and beauty of cut or potted flowers. Blemishes, broken stems can be a distraction. So whether we are capturing flowers in their natural environment, or static flowers secured perhaps in a clamp or a vase, the background of the image is as important as the subject itself. Take the time to give consideration to the background - look out for fences, people walking by, ugly or obstructive stems, broken pots etc.
The aperture isn’t wide enough thus the background feels busy, it jars with the subject. In addition to which, the subject isn’t optimally placed.
If capturing the flowers inside one can choose a plain background: a wall, a coloured card or perhaps a patterned tea towel, something I occasionally do. If using the latter I tend to use a wide aperture to minimise the clarity of the background whilst benefitting from the colours thus creating a hazy backdrop. If space allows, aim for a distance of 15cm or more between your subject and the backdrop to avoid unwanted shadows.
Shooting flowers outdoors, in their natural habitat is a popular choice for many. Using a wide aperture, focusing on the primary subject surrounding flowers can offer a very attractive soft backdrop. Outdoor shooting invariably calls for the use of a diffuser to avoid unattractive contrasts - particularly on a sunny day. With the careful control of light soft, natural images can be created. Cameras can be hand held or on a tripod, often according to one’s preference but also in consideration of air movement. A gentle breeze can impact positively or negatively according to you artistic decisions.
A simple, uncomplicated image with no distractions.
For my contemporary style of work I enjoy shooting my images in my studio. I myself am not generally trying to replicate the flower’s natural environment, I am, in the main, aiming for a contemporary approach. The quality of light from the window nonetheless changes according to the weather and the time of day so I still have to be mindful of the light, avoiding shadows. I often use either a diffuser or a reflector depending on whether I want to enhance or minimise the light. Maybe take a peep at my posts of January and February 2022 for additional information in this respect.
Maybe you are reading this and you are thinking that I am merely offering basic common sense - you’re thinking “of course one doesn’t want distractions”. But I assure you that we can all fall into the trap of focusing so hard on the subject that we fail to go one step further and check what is happening around the subject.
So it all comes down to taking the time to look, look and look again - and this will be relevant to many of my blog subjects.